The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 22

After getting back to the apartment, I’d barely set down my things before my phone began to ring. I groaned, not having the patience for any human interaction. It didn’t help that the plane ride home had left me exhausted.

With a sigh, I grabbed it from out of my bag. I barely registered the name on the screen before I thoughtlessly picked up the call.

“Hello?” I said, dropping my keys on the counter. I hurried over to the kitchen and opened the fridge. “This is Evie.”

“Hi, Evie,” Timothy’s voice came through and I nearly dropped the bottle of fruit juice I had grabbed.

I placed the container on the counter and cleared my throat. “Timothy. Hi.”

“Sorry, this is sudden. Considering I just saw you,” he said with a laugh. “I was wondering if you had time this week to discuss the case a bit further?”

“Of course.” I grabbed a glass from the pantry and filled it up with the juice. “Just give me a time, and I’ll likely be free.””

He hummed thoughtfully. “Tonight at four sound good? At the firm?”

“Sounds perfect.” I took a sip of my juice and cringed at how squeaky my voice had sounded.

“Great,” he said, then there was a pause. It seemed neither of us was ready to hang up, at least immediately.

Finally, I spoke up, taking advantage of the silence. “Thank you, by the way.”

“Hm?”

“For yesterday. With my panic attack…you helped a lot.”

I couldn’t see his face, but I could envision the smile that he had grown just based on his tone. “It was no problem,” he said gently.

My grip tightened on my phone and I pressed it closer to my ear. “I’ll talk to you later.”

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Chapter 22

a good rest of

I slumped down onto the kitchen floor and pulled my knees. to my chin. I had just

text from Bruce flashed across the

ignore me, Coco. I’m playing nice for now, but

There had been several others he sent before that. One of them had come in during my call

lovely

bad reception and

me, Coco. I’m

screen. Part of me wanted to respond and tell him to back off, but the other saw an even worse reaction

that way.

chest, steadying my breaths as they grew shallower. Even

to consume me, with

was a harsh knock at my door. The sound alone. made me jump

opened the bottom pantries, then pulled out one of the thin skillets. Slowly, I hauled myself up and made my way over to the front door. I took a quick peek through the peep hole, but it wasn’t

the man on the other side. There was barely any time–to address him

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Chapter 22

my porch before being blinded by a bright

a few blinks before the man is clear again, this time with a whole crowd of people standing behind him. My

you Evie?” the man asked, scratching the stubble under his chin. He had a camera dangling from his neck and a notebook tucked under his arm. “We received a tip about an Evie living

‘Evie‘ specifically?”

woman Timothy apologized to. We’ve been looking around trying to find her,

eyes watching me from my doorstep. Hesitantly, I stepped forward and looked

tents set up on the grass and blankets strewn about. They had even set

camping here?” I

other news station’s

be serious!” I cried

on!” The man leaned toward me, his camera now trained on my face like.

face before he could get any closer, then locked the door. for security. I knew the press was fierce when it came to a good story, but this was next level in terms of desperation. How would I even explain that to

around the apartment, trying to find something to do with myself. Any distraction was welcome, whether it was cleaning or folding laundry. The time eventually came for me to

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Chapter 22